Garbage Picking and Creativity

I used to be really, really embarrassed about finding something in someone’s garbage and bringing it home.  Now I’m only a little self-conscious about it.  In part, the reuse, repair, recycle movement has had a lot to do with my renewed attitude.  It just makes sense … your trash… my treasure.  Perhaps I could go so far as to consider myself a rescuer of sorts!

Before my renewal I would agonize over how to take the coveted curb-side cast-off.  By the light of day, and if the owners appeared to be home, I’d ring the door bell and ask permission, which I feel to be the ultimate in garbage picking etiquette.  Other times I’d recruit a bolder and more experienced garbage picking friend (thanks Sam & Rob!) and sometimes under the cover of night I would simply make- off with the goods like a bandit!

What I love about “found objects” (as they refer to them in the art world) is not that they are free (although that helps) but that you get to make something out of what was formerly written-off as nothing.   Could this be written into our DNA by the Master Creator who made the entire universe out of nothing?  I digress.

I’m currently working on a very fun and easy project that began as a rescue.  Our next door neighbour had discarded a 34” (86cm) in diameter circle of plywood, perfect for a terrace sized table, ideal for my front verandah where we love to relax and dine during the summer!  My plan all along was to make the top of the table a mosaic but I had trouble finding tiles that were really thin and therefore easy to work with. 

Last weekend at Home Depot I found an opened box of thin white wall tiles on the liquidation table .  There were 60, 4”x4” (10cm x10cm) tiles for $3.00!! Yay! Then I noticed a big box of navy blue grout with a little hole in the bag, it was reduced to $5.00. Perfect! 

Here are some preliminary pictures of my progress. I say my progress but my daughter Sam, began working on one half of the tabletop while I worked on the other.

I find the cutting and placing of the tile fragments to be relaxing and soothing; a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. 

Mosaic work may be the perfect way for you to: refurbish tabletops, terracotta pots, mirror frames, or make stepping stones for your garden.  If you would like basic instructions on how to complete this project or something similar, please e-mail me at sandra.myturquoisekettlelife@gmail.com and I will gladly send them to you.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Have a really great day!

Sandra